Welcome back – I hope all of you had a safe and wonderful holiday (I know I did). But now it is back to regular grind, and with the Detroit Auto Show just a week away its time for a review of what happened in the Auto Design World over the holidays.

The biggest news over the break has to be Chris Chapman’s recent move to Hyundai. I got the scoop from a Facebook friend as I was moving myself. The next couple of days the press reports started rolling in – who says you can’t get your news from Facebook? I spent some time with Chris when I was part of the BMW/Designworks Team at a previous Designer Night at the Races(TM) event. The thing I remember most is how much he seemed to enjoy his job – which means he will fit in perfectly with the crew in Irvine. I am constantly amazed (and a bit jealous) at how much fun the guys and gals at the Hyundai and Kia California studios seem to be having every time I visit. You have probably read about it already, but if not the most informative article is probably the one on Autoblog (which includes the Hyundai press Release).

Thanks to some leaked photos, details are starting to emerge on the Lexus LF-LC Concept that will debut in Detroit. The LF-LC will show the details of Lexus’ future design language expanding on the details shown in Frankfurt on the GS like the “spindle grille”. This time I am going to send you to Jalopnik for the details (and a stab at Road and Track).

The Qatar Motor Show has a slightly different visitors than the Detroit Show, and you can see this in the number of supercars that will be unveiled. No less than 5 such cars are on display as we speak, from Bertone to UP Design.Read about them here.

And come back Wednesday to see our newest Top 10 list – This week we are going to cover my vote for the ugliest cars (and trucks) of the past 30 years.

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About Frank Schwartz

Frank Schwartz is the founder of CarFriend.me and Advanced Automotive Consulting Services, partner in The Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment and serial entrepeneur. A long time automotive enthusiast, Frank started reading car magazines at the age of 8 and has spent 30+ years working inside the automotive industry. In his spare time Frank races with the Sports Car Club of America, spends time working on his numerous project cars and supports many local charities.